Ivanka Trump's horseback-riding video sparks online backlash over perceived elitism

Ivanka Trump faced a wave of online criticism after sharing a horseback-riding video that many viewers dismissed as out of touch with everyday Americans.

The clip, posted Monday on X and Instagram, shows a woman galloping along a beach at sunset, set to Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida,” a song about a fallen king.

It was unclear whether Ivanka Trump was the rider, but the post quickly went viral, racking up more than 15 million views on X alone. Although comments were restricted, users across the political spectrum quoted the post to voice their displeasure.

Many pointed to rising living costs across the U.S., contrasting them with the carefree lifestyle on display in the clip.

“Americans: We can’t afford gas, food or tuition,” GOP podcaster Melissa Witte wrote. “Trump Family: here’s a video of Kai’s luxury dorm, Ivanka riding a horse and we’re also gonna rename both New Mexico and Lake Ontario ‘America.’”

California Governor Gavin Newsom and MAGA journalist Eric Spracklen both highlighted that gasoline has surged in cost amid the ongoing Iran war.

“Real ‘Let them eat cake’ energy here,” wrote another user, while yet another questioned: “Is she racing to her nuclear bunker?”

“She turned off the replies. Of course she did. The corrupt Trump family is so out of touch with ordinary Americans,” the X account Republicans Against Trump added.

Trump has long faced accusations that he and his family have profited off the presidency. In his first year back in office, his personal income soared to $2.2 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal. “I'm profiting because the stock market is going up. Everybody is profiting,” the 80-year-old president told reporters in July.

Compared to her father’s first term, Ivanka Trump has largely shied away from politics. She and her husband, Jared Kushner, recently paid $1.4 billion for an island off Albania, which they plan to turn into a luxury resort. However, the island turned out to be a nature preserve and the announcement of the American couple’s plans to develop it into a commercial venture led to weeks of nationwide protests in Albania.

In response to the horse-riding video, other users pointed to an August investigation by The New York Times, which reported that, under the Trump administration, wild horses are being slaughtered.

The outlet found that the Bureau of Land Management is “quietly” selling off thousands of horses to buyers for cheap, which can then be processed and sold overseas.

“Your dad is selling wild horses on federal land and shipping them off to be slaughtered,” wrote Headquarters, an X account formerly associated with former Vice President Kamala Harris.

Not all of the comments were negative, though.

“Why is this pissing off liberals?” wrote one user. Have they never been on vacation in the Caribbean?...I don't get it. Are we not supposed to enjoy life?